Stonemaier Games make popular games like Wingspan and Scythe. Today, they’ve announced they are joining a lawsuit to challenge the American President’s ability to impose tariffs in the way he has.
The news (as some of their game announcements have) brought the website down, but you can read the same on Facebook.
Stonemaier says that the livelihoods of thousands of small American businesses are being treated like pawns in a political game. The company writes;
Like many tabletop publishers (import code 9504.90.6000*), we started print runs of products before the President took office, and now we face an unprecedented $14.50 tariff tax for every $10 we spent on manufacturing with our trusted long-term partner in China. For Stonemaier Games alone (a US based company in which all 8 employees are US citizens), that amounts to upcoming tariff payments of nearly $1.5 million.
Outside the USA, the situation is different, and Stonemaier says that 33% of their sales remain unaffected by the import barriers that have been implemented around the country.
For now, the company is storing games intended for US audiences in China. The company has at least 250,000 games in Shenzhen and 57,000 Vantage accessories.
However, in some cases, the company will push through. The CEO notes;
We’re sending direct-sale Vantage to the US: I’ve spent too long trying to make this game affordable that I’m not going to let one person with unchecked power get in the way of me serving my customers. The tariffs may have a slight impact on the US price, but the plan is to largely keep our direct price the same and give customers the option to cover the tariff cost at checkout. The plan to release Vantage to US distribution and retail may need a delay–the lack of margins there have a bigger impact on a new game than on reprints.
On social media, companies are showing their support for Stonemaier. Oddwillow’s Game Haven wrote;
Our small Brick and Mortar is less than 2 years old but thriving. We feel like the rug is being pulled out from under us by no fault of our own. How can we help Stonemaier Games?
They got a personal reply from Jamey at Stonemaier who responded;
I’m so sorry for the impact this is having on you. I’m not sure if the law firm is looking for retailers (over importers), but you’re welcome to contact them to find out. Feel free to send me a note at [redacted].
Via Stonemaier Games (their server is struggling to stay up)..
